PG&E Criticized For Gas Pipeline Pressure Tests
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) – PG&E is facing new concerns over a revelation that it intentionally spiked the pressure on 10 of its gas transmission lines, in addition to the pipe that exploded in San Bruno in September.
The San Francisco Chronicle reports that the utility has so far not revealed the location of those 10 additional lines that have undergone the high-pressure testing.
A PG&E spokesman told the paper that the testing is a very safe practice that was done to preserve the system's operational flexibility.
KCBS' Chris Filippi Reports:
But the utility has suspended the practice while federal investigators look into the San Bruno explosion. Peninsula Assemblyman Jerry Hill said this newest revelation is frightening.
"We've lost confidence in PG&E's ability to handle and have the records that are necessary to provide a safe system," Hill said. "We have no confidence that they can report and that the system is actually being maintained properly."
Some experts said they're concerned a high-pressure test in 2008 may have weakened the San Bruno line.
Hill said it would have been safer for PG&E to use a high-pressure water test to check its lines.
"It would have raised the pressure much higher than the 400 pounds per square inch and any weakness would then have ruptured," he said. "But it would have ruptured with water in the pipe, not with natural gas."
But a PG&E spokesman said a water test could require a gas line to be out of service for up to 10 days and would cost as much as $500,000 per mile to perform.
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